The Sioux Center Public Library is a hub of intercultural connection. In addition to offering language learning materials, and bilingual programs, the library building hosts an English Second Language (ESL) class, taught through Northwest Iowa Community College. (NCC)
When Ruth Mahaffy, bilingual services programmer, started working at the Sioux Center Public Library fifteen years ago; there were no Spanish speakers on staff. Ginger Culpepper, instructor of the upper-level ESL courses has been teaching English classes at the library for nine years. Together Mahaffy, Culpepper, and other library staff work hard to make the library a welcoming environment to people of all languages and cultures.
“I love the way that [my job] allows me to connect with so many different people in the community from different backgrounds, people from Mexico, Guatemala, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Honduras and Haiti. It’s just a neat way to connect with people that I maybe otherwise wouldn’t connect with and build those relationships,” Mahaffy said.
Mahaffy started Bilingual Storytime, and provided technology classes for Spanish speakers, and hosted a Spanish language class for English speakers.
Now, the library has a collection of Spanish books ranging from children’s books to popular adult fiction, and a section dedicated to ESL materials.
In addition, many Spanish speakers come to the library to participate in the ESL classes offered through NCC.
Culpepper reckons she’s taught over 500 students from at least nine different language backgrounds. But Culpepper’s classes aren’t just about language acquisition, they’re about community.
“I’m so grateful for my job, this is just a wonderful group, they’re so fun, so enjoyable to share culture, to share language, to share life,” Culpepper said.
NCC taught English to 193 students in Sioux Center classes last year.
Esmerelda, one of the students, met her best friend through ESL classes. She appreciates the community of students, and Culpepper’s mentorship.
“Learning English has been a big change in my life. Before, I wasn’t going out to restaurants because I was scared to speak because I didn’t know. But now it’s been easier, and life feels much better,” she said.
Many ESL graduates continue to be involved in library programs after their graduation. One of Culpepper’s students, Veronica Moreno taught a cooking program at the library for Hispanic Heritage month in 2022 and 2023.
“I think moving from the library would be a detriment for our students,” Culpepper said. “It’s an amazing part of connecting them to the community.”
The library has strategically timed several programs to coincide with ESL classes.
For example, Mahaffy offered a Spanish for English learners’ class at the time block at the ESL night classes. For half an hour each week the Spanish class and ESL class would come together to converse with each other in their second language.
“Everyone just loved that time, it was a great way to bridge those cultural and language barriers and to have to actually try out your second language on a native speaker,” Mahaffy said.
The library has also offered drop-in play programs during the ESL class blocks, so that the children of ESL students have a structured activity available to them while their parents are in class.
“Our goal is to make the library a safe place for everyone, and work with each other through communication and cultural barriers,” Mahaffy said.
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